TEN WEEKS 

BY 

HARVEY REEVES CALKINS 




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OTHER BOOKS 
By Harvey Reeves Calkins 



The Victory of Mary Christopher. A 
Story of To-morrow. 

The Mind of Methodism. A Brief. 

A Man and His Money. A Study of 
Stewardship Foundations. 

Stewardship Starting Points. For 
Study Classes. 

Ganga Dass. A Tale of Hindustan. 

The Centenary at Old First. A Novel 
of Today. 

' ' i 
i 



I 



TEN WEEKS 

The Journal of a Missionary 



BY 

HARVEY REEVES CALKINS 




THE ABINGDON PRESS 
NEW YORK CINCINNATI 



,o 6 



Copyright, 1920, by 
HARVEY REEVES CALKINS 



©CI.A604284 



NOV 20 i92Q 



TO MY COMRADE 
THROUGH THE CAWNPORE 
REVIVAL 
AND THROUGH 
THE YEARS 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 



Foreword 9 

I. THE FIRST SIX WEEKS 

1. How the Revival Started 13 

2. A Disturbing Experience 14 

3. Getting Ready 17 

4. The Revival Breaks 18 

5. The Meaning of Money 20 

6. The Tithe 22 

7. Borden P. Bowne 23 

8. A Christian Sabbath in India. ..... 24 

II. THE SEVENTH WEEK 

1. Getting Down Low 31 

2. Who Does the "Choosing"? 32 

| 3. A Message op III Omen 32 

4. Teaching Inayat Masih to Pray 33 

i 5. The Plague! 34 

6. Decently and in Order 35 

7. A Thakur's Conversion 36 

8. Launching Out 37 

9. No Shilly-shallying! 38 

10. Claudius Is Dead! 40 

11. Sorrow upon Sorrow 41 

12. Steadily Forward March! 41 

13. A Hard Day 44 

14. Inayat Masih Denies Christ 44 

15. Why Don't You Fight Like Men! ... 45 

16. Was Mohammed a Prophet? 46 

17. A Complete Rout 48 

III. THE EIGHTH WEEK 

1. The Greatest Stretch! 53 

2. Love Will Win 53 

3. Scissors and Salvation 55 

7 



8 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 



4. Praying in Circles 56 

5. Twenty Thousand Rupees Troubles 

Bal Kishen 57 

6. A Clever Preacher 58 

7. Money! Money! Money! 58 

f 8. Why We Lost Our Audience 59 

' 9. Who Are the "Reapers"? 60 

10. Debt, Money, and New India 62 

11. Freedom and Power 64 

12. "Yes: In Your Opinion" 65 

13. Inayat Masih Talks 66 

14. A Challenge to Children 67 

15. A Heavy Day and a Light Moham- 

medan 67 

16. Bal Kishen's Story 68 

17. A Day op Rest 69 



IV. THE NINTH WEEK 

1. A Return Center Blow 73 

\ 2. Shall I Go to Bed? 74 

3. Not One op Nana's Butchers! 75 

4. Tithing 76 

5. "I Am a Prophet To-night" 78 

6. Tithing Again 79 

7. What Will You Do with Sin? 81 

8. Explain the Trinity! 81 

9. A Visit From a Lawyer 82 

10. The Sabbath of Rest 83 



V. THE TENTH WEEK 

1. The Last Week Opens 87 

2. A Tithing Question Box 88 

3. This Is That 89 

4. Faith and Folly 90 

5. Tithing a Condition op Baptism. ... 90 

6. "This Is That" Does the Business!. 92 

7. Takht Ram is Tempted and Shah is 

Sick 93 

8. A New Social Order 94 

9. The Word Has Gone Forth 95 

10. The Last Sabbath Day 96 



FOEEWOED 



Stewardship is the gospel of Behold- 
ing God and Serving Men. The only 
way to "promote" it is to drive straight 
to the heart of Christ's message. Stew- 
ardship is not and cannot be depart- 
mental; it is fundamental and universal. 

My Cawnpore journal tells of Christian 
stewardship in India. These personal and 
intimate notes were written under almost 
incredible pressure, in the heat and drive 
of a great revival. They were not intended 
for public perusal; my only purpose was 
to preserve a record of what I then believed, 
and now believe still more, was a significant 
religious awakening. Each day's events 
were written down as they transpired. Dur- 
ing ten years of urgent service at home 
this journal has been to me a "source book" 
of constant suggestiveness. 

As I read through the proof sheets now 
lying before me there is a persistent sense 
of sitting in church without one's coat, 
and I shrink from returning them to the 
publisher. But my face is again toward 
India and the East (we sail within a fort- 
night), and it is my clear judgment that 
the church at home and the missionary 
body beyond seas ought to know how the 
stewardship movement had its birth. 

In preparing the manuscript for publi- 
9 



10 



FOREWORD 



cation names have been withheld wherever 
it has seemed remotely possible that pub- 
licity might bring embarrassment — for I 
have never forgotten and cannot forget the 
gentleness of my Indian brethren. Some 
of the abbreviated notes in the original 
have been filled in for the sake of clearness, 
and there have been some omissions. The 
editorial captions and footnotes have, of 
course, been added. 

H. R. C. 

New York City, August, 1920. 



I 

THE FIRST SIX WEEKS 



And he said unto them, Which of you 
shall have a friend, and shall go unto him 
at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend 
me three loaves; for a friend of mine in 
his journey is come to me, and I have 
nothing to set before him? And he from 
within shall answer and say, Trouble me I 
not: the door is now shut, and my chil- 
dren are with me in bed; I cannot rise 
and give thee. I say unto you, Though 
he will not rise and give him, because he 
is his friend, yet because of his impor- 
tunity he will rise and give him as many 
as he needeth. . . . 

If a son shall ash bread of any of you 
that is a father, will he give him a stone? 
or if he ash a fish, will he for a fish give 
him a serpent? Or if he shall ash an egg, I 
will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, \ 
being evil, hnow how to give good gifts 
unto your children: how much more shall 
your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit 
to them that ash him? 

— Jesus, in the Gospel of Luhe. 



1. How the Eevival Started 

Saturday, May 1, 1909. 

What a day of it! But I must take time 
to get something written down. I should 
have kept full notes from the beginning, 
but the drive of the Eevival has taken every 
ounce of me. 

Khair Khwah 1 has been a vexation to- 
day; I had to refuse half a dozen of the 
workers in order to finish copy for the next 
two numbers. Wish I could be relieved 
of it until the pressure lightens a bit — 
if it ever does. There's no one in sight 
whom I can ask to take it, except Ed 2 , and 
I want to nominate him next year for the 
district. I daren't ma-bap 3 the boy alto- 
gether! I'll have to hold the editorship, I 
suppose, until our furlough; then Hockey* 
will take it over. It's his bachcha*, anyhow, 
and he'll be glad to get it back again. 



Let me begin at the beginning — at least 
the beginning, as it seems to me, of the 
present movement. Our summer school 
was held last October and continued until 
November first. I preached every morning 

1 "The Well Wisher," a Christian vernacular weekly 
paper, popularly known as "Children's Friend." 
a Rev. W. E. Tomlinson, since deceased. 
1 Mother-Father. 

* Rev. N. L. Rockey, D. D., of Shahjahanpur. 
•Child. 

13 



14 



TEN WEEKS 



on the basal doctrines of the Apostles' Creed. 
Ify own soul was marvelously drawn out 
in contemplation of the deity of Jesus 
Christ and the measureless death of the 
cross. 

I was covering the field in a new way, 
and all my preparation had to be in Hindu- 
stani; so I worked late every night (or 
rather to an early hour every morning) 
and once all night until day-break. The 
quietness of the nights, the intense appli- 
cation and constant prayer, that I might 
speak only simple foundation truth, seemed 
somehow to strip my mind bare of the non- 
essentials, and I gazed with strangely 
melted heart upon the mysteries of God. 
I am conscious now that I was wonder- 
fully helped, and clothed upon with power, 
in delivering the word to the preachers. To 
what degree they received it I do not know; 
though I remember the morning that I 
preached on Christ's humiliation the Con- 
ference was suffused. Jai Earn 1 said his 
heart was broken. 

2. A Disturbing Experience 

On the last Sunday, during District Con- 
ference, I had a strange and disturbing 
experience. I preached on the call of 
Moses, and his refusal to be known as the 
son of Pharaoh's daughter. I pictured the 
greatness of the man — how he was able to 
move in the highest circles of Egyptian 
life, and yet, voluntarily, chose to asso- 



* The Rev. Jai Ram Caleb. 



THE EIKST SIX WEEKS 



15 



ciate with the outcast Hebrew slaves. Why ? 
Eirst, because it was true: Moses was not 
the son of Pharaoh's daughter but was the 
son of a slave woman. Second, because 
God wanted to bring a depressed race into 
world leadership and needed a man great 
enough to tell and live the truth, and so 
become His partner in working out the 
greatest achievement in human history. 

Then I applied the story of Moses to the 
Christian community in India, and brought 
it right home to our own people in the 
North and Northwest Conferences. I did 
not actually name any of our people, but 
my words were plain and could not be mis- 
understood. 

I pictured the work of the older mission- 
aries, and spoke particularly of the master- 
ful work of Dr. Hoskins, whose memory 
is so dear to all of them. I reminded them 
how he had taken by the hand hundreds 
of outcast men and women who were hope- 
less, both for this world and the next, and 
had raised them < to the dignity of the sons 
and daughters of God — given them a higher 
place than even Moses knew. 

Of course all our Cawnpore people were 
there, besides the District preachers and 
their families. They couldn't all get into 
the church. I asked them to close their 
eyes and forget their beautiful surround- 
ings, forget their comfortable homes and 
clean white garments, forget their school 
children with happy faces and all the joy 
of Christian fellowship. "Eorget it all," 
I said, "and see yourselves and your chil- 



16 



TEN WEEKS 



dren as you would have been to-day if 
Christ had not come to you !" 

Then I called on our people to be great 
enough to refuse social advantages in 
Cawnpore and Cawnpore district, which 
easily they might enjoy because they were 
prosperous, and to remember the poor and 
outcast for whom Christ died, and from 
among whom many of them had been 
raised up. 

"Kefuse," I said, "to attend a wedding 
supper given by the prosperous Christians 
of Cawnpore, if, in going, you must deny 
some poor old uncle of yours who still bends 
his back under the awful burden of a 
Hindu outcast. Be great, even as Moses 
was great, and God will yet rule India and 
the East by the hands of men who dare 
now claim their relationship to the weak 
and poor and depressed." 

Well, the effect of the sermon was elec- 
tric. Some of the preachers were shouting 
with joy, and some of the women. Eut I 

noticed that and looked 

darkly at me. Particularly I was struck 

with the angry look of , who 

was claiming that his family were Thakurs, 
before becoming Christians. I knew he was 
passing through a crisis in his life, for Mrs. 
Hoskins had told us of his sweeper father 
whom Dr. Hoskins had picked up in the 

district, years ago. Evidently he 

was hard hit, for the family is very pros- 
perous. 

I was so burdened over him that in the 
evening I went to his house to have a quiet 




"We did not waste any time, but went 
right to it." 



THE FIKST SIX WEEKS 17 



talk with him. When he came out to the 
door of his Compound I was amazed at the 
look of hate that he turned upon me. He 
not only would not invite me into his house 
but actually cursed me as we stood by the 
wall together. I tried to talk with him 
gently but he turned and left me and I 
came away in great sorrow. However, I had 
no sense of condemnation, for his anger 
was against the truth. Our people will have 
to get victory in their prosperity, or pros- 
perity will become a bitter curse both to 
them and to the Kingdom of God. 

3. Getting Eeady 

After District Conference, Ida 1 and I 
went immediately upon daura*. It was 
the happiest visitation of the district that 
we ever had made. Helen 8 was with us and 
she had the time of her life ! The preachers 
and villagers are very fond of her. 

All during daura we felt the conviction 
that God was waiting to pour out his Spirit 
upon Cawnpore, so we returned to the 
bungalow early in February. Ida got Helen 
ready for Wellesley, and I took her up to 
Naini Tal and remained a day or two. 
When I got back to Cawnpore the con- 
viction was burning within me that God 
wanted us to "set our face," even as Daniel. 
Indeed, Ida had spent most of the days 
in prayer while I was gone. We did not 
waste any time, but went right to it. 

1 My wife. 

* Itinerating. 

• Our daughter. 



18 



TEN WEEKS 



For three weeks we practically did noth- 
ing else but pray. I attended to work- 
shop, school, and daftar 1 in the early morn- 
ing and by half past seven or eight o'clock 
joined Ida in the dining room. Sardar 2 
understood perfectly that he need not pre- 
pare breakfast, as we would eat nothing 
until tiffin, so that for fully five or six 
hours every day we had uninterrupted op- 
portunity to lay our people and the city 
before God. 

Tom 8 was as hands and eyes to me. He 
attended to routine business, and he and 
Misri* were able to handle most of the 
orders without further instructions from 
me. 

The boarding school boys, Gulzari 5 , 
Childs 6 and many of the people knew that 
our days were being spent in prayer and we 
were not to be interrupted. So we were 
left quite alone every day until the even- 
ing. I'm sure God was stirring the people 
to pray with us — especially Gulzari Lai, 
Bella John, and our beloved A. M. Shah. 

4. The Eevival Breaks 

The second Sunday in March the re- 
vival broke. Galzari Lai announced the 
closing hymn at the evening service. It 
was Eh phdtak lo hushdda hai'. 7 As the 

1 Office. 

2 Our Christian cook. 

8 Mr. Thomas John, my faithful Indian secretary. 

4 Mr. Misri Lai Lorenzo, in charge of the workshops. 

5 Rev. Gulzari Lai Lorenzo, pastor of the Hindustani 
Church. 

6 Rev. Nial T. Childs, Headmaster of the City school. 

7 A free translation of, "The Gate Ajar." 



THE FIRST SIX WEEKS 19 



last line of the chorus began to swell — 
"Taiyar, taiyar, ab khula hai taiyar" 1 — I 
could feel the Presence of God resting 
down upon the congregation. The girls and 
boys sang like angels. Old Zabardast Khan 
stood up with his hands outstretched and 
his sightless eyes turned heavenward. Gul- 
zari shouted in the pulpit and I sat there 
and cried like a happy child. I looked at 
Ida, and, as usual when everyone else is 
excited, she was sitting in quiet calm. But 
her eyes were like the firmament. She al- 
ways gets the news from heaven about a 
week ahead of me! 

I did not hesitate a moment but stood up 
and announced that we would make way 
for God's own plan, and that special meet- 
ings would begin the next day in Central 
Church in the city, at six thirty in the 
morning and seven in the evening. The 
school children fairly laughed for glad- 
ness and the church people smiled their 
approval. 

After the service came to 

me at the bungalow. He fell down at my 
feet in a perfect passion of grief. He 
touched my hand and begged to be for- 
given, saying that he had been in torment 
ever since last November when he cursed 
me, after my sermon on "Moses." I took 
him in my arms and we wept together. O, 
it was God's own victory! 



For six weeks now the Eevival has been 



1 "Ready, ready, 'tis now open and ready." 



20 



TEN WEEKS 



in full swing — the last two weeks of March, 
and all through April. If only I had kept 
a record from the first day! It is all so 
wonderful — the faith and constancy of our 
people, the inquiring souls that keep com- 
ing to the bungalow, and the crowds of 
Hindus and Mohammedans that pack the 
city Church. 

If I find the time I will "fill in" some of 
the blessed events of these last six weeks, 
and something of what I think it all sig- 
nifies — at least to me. In any case, I'll try 
to keep a daily record from today. 

5. The Meaning of Money 

Later. 

I've got to add another page or two, right 
here. I feel in my bones that something 
big is happening in Cawnpore, something 
for the whole of India — if only I dared to 
say so! I think we're getting down to the 
fundamental meaning of self-support, but 
it's something bigger than self-support, 
something that goes into character and 
social righteousness. All last year, and es- 
pecially during this revival, I've had a con- 
viction that money is mixed up with any 
clear understanding of Christian doctrine. 
It's hard to state just what I mean, for 
I don't see it very clearly myself. But it's 
something like this: 

If God is really a living Person, and not 
the hazy essence that the pundits think j 
they are talking about, then He must be 
realized as a Person by being recognized 



THE FIKST SIX WEEKS 21 



as the actual Owner of things. That's 
awfully crude, but that's about what I 
mean. Money is the most vital thing that 
most men know anything about (that's 
bald, but I believe it's true!), and there- 
fore money must be the surest way of ac- 
knowledging God. I suppose I mean the 
ownership of money and property, and not 
money and property themselves. I'm just 
trying to get it written down. 

I've been trying to preach this sort of 
thing in the villages, partly because I be- 
lieve it's an easy and human approach to 
the deepest problems of religion, but mostly 
to see how the preachers themselves would 
get hold of it. They repeat what I say, 
some of them, and seem to be catching on. 
Eahim Khan and Benjamin Gardiner 
seemed to get it last January, when I 
was with them in Kanauj and Fatehgarh. 
I think it's the background of Moham- 
medanism in both of them that seems to 
make it easier for them to get hold of the 
idea of personality in God — I mean get 
hold, for all the preachers say they get 

it! lags dreadfully, although 

I think he's the most thoughtful preacher 
in the district. It's the dreamy Hinduism 
that still saturates him, and he doesn't 
know it. Definite conceptions of time and 
place and things seem to elude him. 

I would begin, in the villages, by hold- 
ing up a coin and asking "What's this?' 7 
and then "Whose is it ?" That would always 
start things going, for the crowd would 
think I had found some money and was 



22 



TEN WEEKS 



advertising for the owner. It was always 
great fun and a sure crowd catcher! But 
pretty soon they would begin to get some 
idea of what I was driving at — that the 
piece of money in my hand, and all the 
wheat and rice and vegetables in the bazar, 
belonged to the mighty and eternal God. 
Then I always had them! The sun and 
stars couldn't own money and wheat, I 
would tell them, nor the river, nor the 
clouds, nor the trees, nor the thin smoke 
from their angithis 1 — that's the nearest 
thing to Brahm that I can think of for 
use as an illustration. Whenever money or 
wheat is owned, that proves that the owner 
is alive, able to think, and able to do 
things. I tried to give them the philosophic 
meaning of personality without using any- 
thing but the simplest words and the 
simplest illustrations. The idea of an 
owner is the easiest way to make a Hindu 
understand divine personality, for it links 
up immediately with the things in the 
bazar. Then I would tell them what this 
Living Owner had done for them, always 
ending with Jesus. I believe it was good 
sensible preaching and the crowds never 
left me. 

6. The Tithe 

But what bothers me is the tithe. I 
believe it's the heart of the whole thing, 
but somehow I can't state it so that my 
preachers are able to get hold of it. I guess 
I haven't got it myself! I thought I had 



1 Portable fire-places. 



THE EIEST SIX WEEKS 23 

it in Bombay, in "Mary Christopher." I'm 
sure that little book is as sound as a 
sovereign, but it won't go among our Hindu- 
stani people; I'm sure of that. The minute 
I talk tithing the preachers think I'm talk- 
ing "pastor fund" and "self support." They 
take it as a huhm 1 from some stiff finance 
committee that I have found hidden some- 
where between the lids of the Bible! 
They're obedient and docile, but it makes 
them sullen — and that makes me wretched ! 
Unless the preachers are free-hearted and 
happy it is useless trying to lead them. My 
preachers themselves must lead the Dis- 
trict, I'm only their helper. Jai Ram 2 (he 
sure is hoshyar!) 3 tells the people what big 
things Cawnpore District could do if all 
the Christians tithed, but Mohan Lai 4 drops 
his head and looks sad. And I don't blame 
him, either! That kind of tithing hasn't 
any more lift in it than the anna-to-the 
rupee scheme that the finance committee 
is so keen about, and which I wish to good- 
ness had never been invented. It clutters 
up the whole business and makes "God's 
tithe" an abomination. I'm not going to 
let my preachers think of the Bible as 
huJcamat Tci Jcitah 5 . It's the Book of Life! 

7. Borden P. Bowne 

I've been rereading Bowne, but he 
doesn't help; not a bit. Haven't looked 

1 A command. 

2 Rev. Jai Ram Caleb. 

'Clever. 

*Rev. Mohan Lai Samsun. 
• Book of judicial authority. 



24 



TEN WEEKS 



at Ms "Theism" since the old Haymarket 
days in Denver. It's great, great! But it 
doesn't touch my trouble. How would 
Bowne tackle our crowd at Bithoor? How 
would he make them (or anyone!) realize 
the divine personality ? — that's the pinch. I 
asked him about it when he visited us, but 
he didn't want to talk; seemed depressed — 
except when Ida prepared that wonderful 
beefsteak for him, the day they left. He 
said that was the most uplifting experience 
he'd known in India. 

I must stop now. God guide us through 
these days — guide me. I mustn't run ahead 
of the Lord, but if the way opens I in- 
tend to drive this thing clear through. Of 
course, self-support will follow in a day, 
if the truth really gets hold of the preachers 
— provided it is the truth; and of that I 
am entirely confident. And yet that is 
the least I'm thinking about. It's God my 
preachers need — God. If only this revival 
will reveal Him! . . . 

8. A Christian Sabbath in India 

Sunday, May 2, 1909. 
The Sunday school this morning was 
unusually full; a large number of Hindus 
and Mohammedans were present. I talked 
with Gulzari Lai about the little Hindu 
boy who came to the altar last night. He said 
he was one of our day-school boys, in the 
city, and that his mother and sister are 
prostitutes. He came with a sincere de- 
sire to be saved from an evil life. I think 



THE FIKST SIX WEEKS 25 



I shall take the risk of baptizing him, for 
it is evident that he has no one who is re- 
sponsible for him. Gulzari Lai said he 
would be sure to be in the meetings again. 

Brother Shah gave an effective review, 
showing how the Holy Spirit came upon 
them as they fasted and prayed in Antioch, 
and gave to those early Christians a true 
spiritual burden for the heathen world. He 
applied it to the Cawnpore Church and ex- 
horted the teachers and members to renewed 
diligence in prayer and to learn the power 
of fasting. He then called the workers 
to the altar where for half an hour there 
was most earnest and believing prayer. 
By vote it was determined to change the 
time of the Sunday evening service from 
5 :30 to 7 :30, so as to make Sunday meet- 
ings at the same hour as the week meetings. 

I spoke to the Nanak Babu and warned 
him not to try the impossible task of con- 
tinuing as a caste-Hindu and posing as a 
Christian. 

The evening service was more orderly 
and solemn than any we have yet had. The 
"open-air" was effective and there was 
much prayer at the altar, Karuna Dhar 
being particularly led out for gunahgaron. x 
We opened the service with Ruh Pah, Ruh 
Pah, db dil Men A 2 and followed with the 
Creed. I prayed. Some of the older boys 
sang a translation of "The Whole Wide- 
world." Then the 23rd Psalm and Ha 



1 Sinners. 

2 Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Now enter my heart. 



26 



TEN WEEKS 



Sitaiish 1 . It was the full church service 
and most effective. 

I talked a few minutes explaining that 
the "mesmerism" we were using was the 
mesmerism of love and nothing else; and 
the feeling in their hearts was the con- 
viction of the Holy Spirit. After the offer- 
ing, Mrs. Robertson sang with much feeling 
Mera Fran Bachaiya*. Our people were 
pleased and blessed. 

Ida read the 20th of Revelation. When 
half way through a wedding procession 
passed with tremendous din. Gulzari and 
Shah quickly closed the front doors so that 
the sound was deadened. Ida held the 
whole crowd who sat in utter solemn still- 
ness. Not a person left the church and 
in five minutes the noise ceased and the 
doors were quietly re-opened. The people 
seemed to be unconscious of any interrup- 
tion. 

When Ida had finished I talked on Matt. 
10:28 and called for seekers. We were 
singing Isa Kaisa Dost Piyara*, when I 
saw a young Mohammedan struggling to 
get his hand above his head. I smiled en- 
couragement and he immediately stood up 
and walked to the front. I motioned to 
Ishwari Pershad who took him by the arm 
and they kneeled at the altar in prayer 
while I continued the invitation. Ida also 
spoke to some young men who were laugh- 
ing in the middle of the Church. The 



* The Gloria. 

* My Precious Deliverance. 

* What a Friend We Have in Jesus. 



FIRST SIX 



laughing' ceased and those who were sitting 
near seemed ready to punish the one who 
had started the disturbance. 

The altar service continued with con- 
siderable power while I talked and prayed 

Mohammedan, he prayed after me, bat not 
with great spirit. When I saii. "Liri 
Jesus, I am now ready to be baptized in 
thy name," he halted. I looked up and he 
said "Tomorrow I will be ready/* I :hen 
iraye-a : n a : G:l ~:~a-i leer-en :-:nvi ::: ; n 
and" left him, while Thmn** John continued 



had not had rest for ten days and could 
n:: keet a~ ay rr:n :he nee:::: 2-5. 

Iiiava: Masih : sa: hack -?rith DaftarL I 
am not anxious. In fact I seem to be ut- 
terly quiet in this business. I do not 
believe these Mohammedans can stand up 
under the conviction of the Spirit. AR we 
need is steady, persistent, pushing faith, 
ani inesha"is:i:Ie l:~e. A number of :li 
Hh::': ~-rTr 7. re-sen:. 

Ai:er the s-errije Inajat Masih was dik- 
ing, full of life and spirit, and said he 
wanted to learn u Zar hoi Zor™ ICsri Lai 
got in front of him and Tom at his left 
ear; they loaded him with melody. He 




28 



TEN WEEKS 



where three purdah women had been sitting 
through the entire service. At the bunga- 
low Lazarus Emmanuel came to talk with 
us at 10:30. He wanted prayer for his 
wife and two friends, and to express grat- 
itude that he had been reclaimed from 
backsliding. He said God had convicted 
him about tobacco, although no one had 
spoken of it, and took out a package of 
cigarettes and handed them to me. 

This isn't "India and Hinduism!" It's 
just a "Revival," with sinners coming home 
to God. And that's the glory of it! Folks 
are just folks, and Jesus is the same, yester- 
day, today, and forever. 



II 

THE SEVENTH WEEK 



And the seventy returned with joy, say- 
ing, Lord, even the demons are subject unto 
us in thy name. 

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan 
fallen as lightning from heaven. Behold, 
I have given you authority to tread upon 
serpents and scorpions, and over all the 
power of the enemy: and nothing shall 
in any wise hurt you. Nevertheless in this 
rejoice not, that the spirits are subject 
unto you; but rejoice that your names 
are written in heaven. 

— Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke. 



1. Getting Down Low 

Monday, May 3, 1909. 
To-day we began the seventh week of the 
meetings. Grant us Thy Presence, and 
guide us through its unknown changes, O, 
God. 

Ed 1 and his wife drove over at 7 :15. Ida 
rode to the Central Church with Mrs. Tom- 
linson in their phaeton, Ed. and I followed 
in the tum-tum. 

We began the service promptly at 7 :30. 
After a hymn I prayed, and I was led 
to ask God to search us all. My prayer 
last night at the bungalow was the same. 
Thoughts come crowding through my mind ; 
they are all connected with the work, but 
somewhat trifling. I just told the Lord 
he would have to take me as he finds me; 
trace my thoughts down to their fountain 
head, purge them if he finds them sinful, 
and control them if he finds them trifling 
and useless. I shall not insult the Holy 
Spirit by obtruding these wandering 
thoughts upon the Lord as things to be 
"f orgiven," when I know "the Blood cleans- 
eth"; nor will I insult my own conscious 
dedication to God by suggesting that per- 
haps Fm not "all there." God knows every 
atom of me and if I'm not His, He has 
me to make me His! 



1 Rev. W. E. Tomlinson, Pastor of the English Church, 
Cawnpore. 

31 



32 



TEN WEEKS 



I'm not sure but that "wandering 
thoughts" are the Holy Spirit's way of 
inviting us to get away from some of our 
own self-made prayers. Anyhow, it's a 
safe thing to get awfully low and let Him 
go through and through and deal with one 
as He pleases. My prayer seemed to help 
the people. I am burdened that the preach- 
ers, as they come in from the district, shall 
be a help and not a hindrance. 

2. Who Does the "Choosing"? 

Ida's reading was with force. She spoke 
of the message of Isaiah 44. 1, 2 and then 
turned to John 15. 16, and Ezekiel 36. 23. 
The power of the message was in the word 
— "Who would dare to choose God? It is 
God who hath chosen us" Also our fruit 
shall remain because within it is the seed 
that produces other fruit. The actual fruit 
itself may pass away, but the reproductive 
power of the seed causes it to continue 
through the years in other generations, 
reproducing its like. It is one of Ida's 
rich thoughts and she gave it with strength. 

3. A Message of III Omen 

Bal Ejshen was the first at the altar. 
While we were praying Jiwan Singh came 
in with a message brought from Claudius. 
He is sick, and every symptom points to 
plague. Ishwari Parshad, Gulzari Lall, 
Misri Lai and Childs at once started to 
Colonelganj. 

I remained to hold the people in prayer; 
for they must not be permitted to stagger 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 33 



at anything. I read Psa. 91. 9, 10, and 
pointed the message: That if these words 
are to be fulfilled, then each member of 
the family must be counted among those 
who abide. A disobedient or unconsecrated 
member in our families opens the door for 
the entrance of the enemy to hurt and 
injure, even though he may not be per- 
mitted to destroy. , I think, 

felt the burden of the word. She is much 

in prayer that shall come 

home to her husband and get into the meet- 
ings. 

Bal Kishen prayed with intelligence and 
faith. He is moving into a place of real 
spiritual understanding. Inayat Masih did 
not know what to do! Masih Charan, who 
knelt by him, helped me greatly by say- 
ing to him that he was to pray as a child 
asking something of his father. 

4. Teaching Inayat Masih to Pray 

Inayat wanted to know if he should 
close or open his eyes, and if he should 
sit or kneel. I told him to kneel as the 
rest were doing and open or shut his eyes, 
just as he felt like doing, and to pray out 
of his heart for the things that he wanted, 
telling him of a dozen things that he might 
pray for. Then he threw back his head, 
opened his eyes, spread his hands in front 
of him and began in a strong clear voice. 
He prayed with intelligence for "sinners/' 
for Mohammedans, for the city, and for 
Ida. We all said, "Amen!" Then, as I 
was dismissing the meeting with prayer, he 



34 



TEN WEEKS 



began again, taking the words out of my 
mouth. When he became quiet I went 
ahead and he kneeled in front of me 
puncturing every sentence of mine with 
"Amin." He actually is catching on ! 

5. The Plague! 

Then Ida and I drove over to Colonel- 
ganj. Misri and Childs had been there 
and gone. Claudius and Eva were alone. 
Claudius looks bad. He said he had found 
a dead bird on top of the verandah post 
and had taken it in his hand and thrown 
it out into the road. I fear the trouble 
came from that! 

It's plague without a doubt. I felt of his 
groin and found a good sized bubo. His 
eyes were dullish, though not particularly 
red, and his temples were throbbing. I 
could not tell how great his fever was; my i 
own hands were, as usual, very warm. I 
neglected to inspect his tongue. He seemed 
lethargic, and said the thing struck him ! 
yesterday at eleven o'clock, after Sunday 
school. 

Ida prayed, first talking to Eva. Eva 
seems dead and unresponsive, though she 
answers in words. The poor baby is still 
very sick. I prayed and felt as at the 
Church that he would not die. We told 
Eva to give him milk and follow the di- 
rections of the doctor; that of course I 
would pay for the milk. We went away 
leaving Eeubin, Jukkha, Chhitiya and j 
Bessie Charles with them. 

On arriving home changed every gar- 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 35 



ment, took a bath and had break- 
fast. After breakfast attended to dis- 
trict bills. Childs and Misri came. 
They said Morari Lai 1 had seen Claud- 
ius and expressed great doubt; it is 
very serious. He did not say it was hope- 
less, but implied it. I think it is not so 
bad. In any event, Claudius is being moved 
to the segregation camp and Eva will go 
with him to be near at hand. 

At the very best it is a center blow! It 
means that unless the Lord interposes a 
miracle a strong praying worker will be 
taken out of the District for a week or a 
month. Ida and I got to praying about 
3 o'clock in dead and desperate earnest. 
How utterly alone and helpless we are 
in this great city except the mighty God 
•actually comes down and stands in the 
midst of us! 

6. Decently and in Order 

The meeting was blessed this evening. 
One thing I determined upon and an- 
nounced. There are to be no more "open- 
airs" in front. It hinders a prayer service 
inside and takes from the reverence of 
the meeting. I am persuaded that we must 
not have a rollicking service, but one 
solemn and dignified. 

So I announced that open-airs hereafter 
must be along the road, but not in front 
of Central Church. At seven sharp the 
inside service will begin. 



1 Assistant Civil Surgeon. 



36 



TEN WEEKS 



After announcements I sang "Sulh Mu- 
barak." 1 God has given it to me, without 
doubt! Ida read with great sweetness and 
strength, John 14, first two or three verses. 
She talked of the certainty of the living 
Christ, and said many were near to Christ. 
I believe it. 

7. A Thakur's Conversion 

Gulzari came to me during the reading 
and said a Hindu wanted to be converted. 
After a short exhortation I gave the invi- 
tation and a man raised his hand, then 
came forward. There was prayer for him 
at the altar and I dealt with him. He 
seemed dead in earnest and came through 
without a break. He said he felt joy in his 
heart and I told him to rise and tell the 
people. He turned about, facing the audi- 
ence, and spoke clearly and unmistakably. 
I then read the Baptismal vows, and Gul- 
zari helped to make them simple and di- 
rect for him. He answered without a break. 

I then said I must cut his chutiya. 2 He 
said he was willing. I had previously se- 
cured a pair of scissors from Julia Per- 
shad and immediately cut off the lock. 
Then I baptized him, and Gulzari recorded 
the name. With my hand on his head I 
sang "Misl-i-bdrishj misl-i-roshni" z and I 
could feel the power of God upon him, al- 
most like an electric current! At the close, 
I prayed for him, and then how the people 



1 "Blessed Quietness." t . 
1 Wisp of hair — a sign of Hinduism. 
"Like the Ksfn and Like the Sunshine.*' 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 37 



crowded about him and shook his hand! 
Many of the Hindus and Mohammedans 
present showed their intense, quivering in- 
terest, and even their J pleasure. But some 
lowered ! 

I learned that our new brother is a Tha- 
kur, and has been in the meetings for 
three evenings. A Christian was ap- 
proached by him and questioned. Then 
they came to the Church together and told 
Gulzari that he (the Thakur) desired to 
become a Christian this evening, 

I believe this is the way the revival must 
push forward. The half -taught, half-per- 
suaded people must be brought under the 
power of the meetings and the Holy Spirit, 
in the intense atmosphere of prayer, will 
make them pahha 1 inquirers, ready for 
Christian baptism. And while personal 
work is going forward the shafts of convic- 
tion will sink deep and deeper into the 
hearts of the shifting audience. Intensive 
work will do more in one week than a year 
of routine teaching will be able to ac- 
complish. 

Word comes through Misri Lai that 
Claudius is better. Thank God! May the 
Lord raise him up speedily. He is in the 
segregation camp. 

8. Launching Out 

Tuesday, May 4, 19(R 
It has been a hard day, but with progress. 
At the morning meeting I spoke a few 



1 Thorough, well taught. 



38 



TEN WEEKS 



words on personal work and Ida gave a 
reading on "Launch out into the deep." 
She said the lake was full of fish, and 
they (the fish) had little to do with being 
caught, or not; it rested with the skill of 
the fisherman and the strength of the nets. 
God meant that message for mel 

At the altar service the old Nanak Babu 
kneeled and prayed. He is full of pride. 
He says he is a Christian! I talked with 
him, and Ida afterwards had a nice con- 
versation. He may yet come; but his pride 
will have to be broken. Several of the 
teachers came in; Aulad Hassein seemed 
especially interested. He dropped his head 
and wept when I talked with him. 

I came home to two hours of hard daf- 

tar 1 work. is a true man 

but it is hard to get him to move with 
much "go." The news from Claudius is 
disheartening. We must have more power. 
There is not enough grip in our praying. 

This evening we had no "open-air" in 
front. No one had arrived when I got to 
the church at 6:35. I went out alone and 
preached on the street, reading Matt. 5. 
We started sharp on time, although scarcely 
a soul was in the church. But they came 
fast enough ! One of the best audiences we 
have yet had ; and a more quiet thoughtful 
company than usual. 

9. No Shilly-shallying! 
While Mohan Lall was offering prayer, 
a large crowd from the English Church 



i Office. 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 39 



entered. I prayed with a sort of despera- 
tion that they would not bring confusion, 
and they did not. The testimony meeting 
was full of life. Ida read in Mark 5, Jesus 
casting out the legion of devils and after- 
wards healing the woman who "touched" 
him in the crowd. The application was very 
impressive, especially when she appealed 
to their own sense of truth: "If we are 
right about Jesus, and you are wrong, how 
will you meet God?" And the words went 
home. I prayed and exhorted. £To sign. 
Afterwards Higgins from the English 
Church talked, and seemed not to speak 
amiss. 

During the meeting to-night I was dis- 
turbed to see Inayat Masih sitting back. 
A number of evil looking Mohammedans 
were sitting near him. After most of the 
crowd had gone I spoke to him to come for- 
ward but he would not. I prayed, and when 
I looked up, the church had again filled 
with people. Again I called Inayat to come 
and join us in the altar service and he 
came. I am disturbed about him. Lai 
Singh, whom I baptized last night, is an 
exceedingly industrious man, but I fear 
Inayat Masih is lazy. The Spirit of Truth 
will test him, and there must be no shilly- 
shallying ! 

After church we drove to the segrega- 
tion camp. Claudius seems better. I prayed 
with him and again felt he would not die. 
Is this faith? Or is it my intense desire 
for the dear fellow to get well ? It's a knock- 
out, however, as far as one strong worker 



40 



TEN WEEKS 



is concerned in this time of need. God 
raise him up! 

10. Claudius Is Dead! 

Wednesday, 5th May. 

Claudius is dead! He passed away early 
this morning'. He had intense pain through 
the night and was calling for Ida and me, 
and afterwards for Misri Lai. Well, it's 
finished so far as he is concerned! 

Somehow, my faith is not deadened, 
rather whetted. Talked to the people this 
morning on John 11. 1-4. "This sickness 
is not unto death, but that the glory of 
God may appear." It's a center blow. God 
permitted it. Two things: As for Claudius 
it was God's will; as for the meeting it is 
our opportunity. It will mean defeat or 
victory according to our attitude and faith. 

Called on Morari Lai. The bird was not 
the means of infection. Claudius must 
have contracted the disease in his visita- 
tion in Colonelganj. It went through him 
like mercury! The funeral is announced 
for this evening at 5 :30. The preachers 
from the district are coming in; and we 
are candidates for victory or laughable de- 
feat. Have mercy, Lord! 

Evening: At 5:30 drove to McKobert- 
ganj. Ed was waiting. The funeral was 
a Christian one in very truth. Ed and 
I read the ritual, also Ishwari Pershad. 
After the cofiin had been lowered and the 
ritual finished, Tom and Misri tried to 
sing "Ab Yordan Ke Kinare Par," 1 but the 

1 "Now, on the Banks of the Jordan." 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 41 



whole thing broke down in weeping. Not 
wailing, but tender, true and loving grief. 
Jai Earn prayed, then I followed. It was 
a sweet and blessed season. Poor Eva! 
She looked bereft and lost — a widow ! 

11. Sorrow Upon Sorrow 

On our way to church we drove down 

the Colonelganj road and saw 

in front of his house — living there with 
that woman, his friend's widow, he says. 
I rebuked him before the neighbors and 
called the Hindu people to witness that he 

was not a true Christian. also was 

in the same house. At the grave I also 

saw and told him I would 

be in my daftar between 12 and 1. If he 
did not call, the Committee would sit on 
Saturday. 

At church we were tired and everyone 
got in late. Yet it was a heavenly service! 
We sang and talked of heaven. Then Ida 
read part of 1 Cor. 15. A young man 
and a woman came forward. I baptized 
the man. He has been under instruction 
for a year and was ready. The woman 
wept bitterly. She is a Hindu and has been 
living in sin with a Christian man. Miss 
L. thinks she is in earnest for salvation 
and will soon give up her sin and take 
baptism. 

12. Steadily Forward, March! 

Thursday, 6th May. 
We plowed somewhat ahead this morning 
at the service in the city. Last night, at 



42 



TEN WEEKS 



one, I awakened after two hours sleep. 
God was calling me to pray. I walked for 
half an hour on the roof but the moon 
was fierce and the air nasty. So I went 
down to the drawing room and God bap- 
tized me with faith. I prayed specially 
for Ida that God would finish the work He 
had begun in her; that she would be kept 
every minute by the power of God, and 
become a marvel of endurance. 

Revival in May! In Cawnpore! But 
why not ? It is the best time for the people. 
Why not for us? I prayed for the city 
and the district and claimed the death of 
Claudius to be our reason for taking ad- 
vanced ground. I went back to bed at 
four, rested. 

The morning meeting was quiet. Ida 
read the Transfiguration, and seeing Jesus 
only; not even the holy messengers from 
heaven — Jesus only. We had victory in 
prayer. I believe the Cawnpore Church 
will have sufficient grip of faith to hold 
the entire district steady. 

wanted the morning meet- 
ings in Parade Church. 1 Why? To push 
forward the revival, or to afford the easy- 
going ones more aram? 2 I merely said 
Earn faisala Earenge. 8 Help us to de- 
cide right, Holy Spirit. Bella John was 
positive and enthusiastic in saying, "All 
meetings in the city." I am sure she is 



W 1 The Church near the Mission Compound, so called be- 
cause in early days the military parade ground was close by. 
a Rest. 

* We shall decide it. 



THE 'SEVENTH WEEK 43 



right. Came home and attended to busi- 
ness and letters. 

Evening: Worked hard on correspond- 
ence until five. People were late in reach- 
ing the church. Our Cawpore folks are 
tired! the reaction from Claudius' death 
is with us; and the district people are not 

yet adjusted. led in the opening 

prayer. Steady and true, but no "lift." 
Prayed that meetings might not "exceed" 
God's will. Has he not been close enough 
to discern God's will? Does he not see 
God's will in the marvelous coolness of 
the days, for this season, the marvelous 
faith of the Cawnpore workers, and the 
steady coming of non-Christians and their 
unbroken attention to the word of God? 
What is God's will except their salva- 
tion and our uttermost strength (short of 
folly) given to help them! 

Ida read too long, but she delivered the 
message. Whether the people got it all, 
is not so sure. But all got something ; and 
as the audience shifted a bit — a good bit — 
each got a bit! The entire audience, non- 
Christian I mean, changed three times in 
thirty minutes! 

The village preachers are a new prob- 
lem. For their sakes it is a question what 
to do next week, whether to hold the morn- 
ing meetings in the city or not. We must 
get light from the Lord. The meeting 
closed with some "lift." No seekers. I have 
taken cold and my throat is bad, and my 
right eye partly closed. Steadily forward, 
March! 



44 



TEN WEEKS 



Poor Claudius! The thing is a knock- 
out and I won't deny it. Only I refuse 
to be knocked out — I dare not be! 

13. A Hard Day 

Friday, May 7tb. 

A hard day but with real progress, I 
think. At the morning meeting Ida read 
Joel 2 with strength, and the day was 
set apart for fasting. The prayer meeting 
that followed was good. Not full of victory, 
but there was substantial progress. Inayat 
Masih came in and I samjhaoecP him to 
work. He is a weak lazy fellow — mostly 
lazy. If he ever gets anywhere he must 
find the renewing of his mind. 

We put in some good praying this after- 
noon. Samuel Baksh was talking to Tom; 
he was troubled about the death of Claud- 
ius, that God had not healed him although 
we had so earnestly prayed; and he had 
prayed. It was a thoughtful question; the 
boy must be held. I took him into the bed- 
room and Ida and I talked and prayed with 
him. He seemed full of gladness when he 
left, and was satisfied. 

O, it has been a center-blow. No wonder 
our people are staggering! Misri is get- 
ting his faith back a little, but Ishwari 
Pershad is sick. 

14. Inayat Masih Denies Christ 

To-night, during the testimony meeting, 
Inayat Masih arose and denied Christ be- 



i Strongly summoned. 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 45 



fore the people. As the altar service was in 
progress I felt strength in my bones and 
sent some of my best pray-ers, including 
Misri Lai and Shah, to surround him and 
pray the evil spirit out of him. What 
praying! He came to the altar weeping, 
and the power of Satan over him seemed 
broken. I fear for him. He is surrounded 
by badmashes 1 who seem determined to 
drag him back again. It was worth while 
to pray, however, for we had to have Satan 
rebuked after such an exhibition. But I'm 
doubtful whether he will "stick." The devil 
is following him and he is lazy. That 
spells defeat! However, he is well enough 
advertised and in case he falls away, the 
city will know why and the power of God 
will not be hurt. 

15. Why Don't You Eight Like Men ! 

Saturday, May 8th. 

I need my Saturdays for rest, but I 
don't seem to get the rest! The day has 
been a strenuous one, preachers to be seen, 
"things" to be done, and "Khair Khwah" 
to edit. Well, we got through and had 
time for prayer this afternoon. O, it's hard 
work "and you may lay to that!" 

This evening we had a good crowd ready 
for prayer at 6:30, and there was some 
real praying before seven o'clock. Ida 
read Elijah on Carmel and Baal was there, 
sure enough! What confusion, what noise, 
what going and coming! Our district 



1 Evil men. 



46 



TEN WEEKS 



workers added to the confusion. So Ida 
had a hard enough time. Some of our 
"regulars" were either called out or went 
out themselves. 

Toward the end of the reading I saw 
Inayat Masih sitting back with a new 
green pugri, 1 new coat, etc. I felt the grip 
of a sword in my hand. When Ida was 
finished I called the Cawnpore Moham- 
medans to fight like men, and to give up 
tactics that Mohammed himself would have 
despised! It was stretching things a bit, 
but I made up my mind to try the "sports- 
man's" approach. I told them how Inayat 
Masih had come to Jesus, and how 
cowardly it was to seek to entice him back 
again with bribes. A good many of the 
Mohammedans present took what I said 
with serious attention. 

After everything was over Bal Kishen's 
brother came to the altar and was con- 
verted — or, if he wasn't, I cannot judge the 
face of clay. A friend of his also professed 
conversion. It was a good ending of a hard 

meeting. Formally reported 

to his preacher-in-charge for trial. What 
heaviness! What sorrow! 

16. Was Mohammed A Prophet ? 

Sunday, May 9th. 
— I have been prostrate with exhaustion 
to-day and have a bad throat. Rested all 
the afternoon and am better to-night. Big 
Sunday school this morning, and good 
prayer meeting. 



i Turban. 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 47 



Talked with afterwards. 

He was ghabraoed and hairan 1 last night 
because he thought I was making Mo- 
hammed to be too great a man. I called 
him nabij 2 using the word of course in its 
broad human sense, as when Carlyle speaks 
of Mohammed as the Hero-Prophet. But it 
is evidently too big a mouthful for our 
Cawnpore people at present, and I'll not 
call him nabi again. 

I showed Childs what I desired the 
people to know, first our own people and 
then the Cawnpore Mohammedans, con- 
cerning the awful blunder and consequent 
sin of Mohammed, and therefore the blight 
of Islam. 

The horrible blasphemy of Mohammed 
in calling himself the Dusra Madadgdr* is 
growing on me, and also the persuasion 
that God was calling Mohammed at first 
to reform the Church, and save it from 
idolatry, and thus hasten the coming of 
the Kingdom. He certainly began his 
career as an uncompromising preacher of 
righteousness with one consuming passion: 
to destroy idolatry! But the lie that he was 
the Other Comforter was the blasphemy 
that changed him from a messenger of 
the High God to an emissary of all evil. 
The polluted fruit of the man and of his 
teaching is sufficient evidence. As soon 
as the occasion offers I want to send thia 
truth home. 



1 Agitated and perplexed. 

2 Prophet. 

8 Other (or second) Comforter. 



48 



TEN WEEKS 



17. A Complete Rout 

To-night we begin at exactly 6:30, our 
regular worship — going on into the Lord's 
supper ; a solemn and complete service. Ida 
began to read a little before eight. About 
8 :15 the place was packed by a large 
crowd of Mohammedans who came in a 
hody, headed by four moulvies. 1 

Ida had to stop reading until they could 
be packed into place — she was reading Isa. 
35. Presently a pert looking chap walked 
up the aisle and stood immediately in 
front of her and spoke. Ida said, "Wait, 
please, until after I have finished" — and 
Gulzari hustled him into a seat like a bag 
of bajra! Then Mathi Izhaq and Gulzari 
walked the main aisle like policemen; it 
was well done. 

Presently Shah and Gardiner came up 
into the pulpit and whispered to me that 
a disturbance was brewing as soon as Ida 
should finish reading. I told them not to 
be troubled, to sit perfectly quiet and be- 
lieve God. When Ida had finished the 
reading I called on Bella John to pray. 
While she bowed inside the altar many 
Mohammedans stood and looked about, and 
then sat down again. The fellow who had 
interrupted Ida sat in the fifth or sixth 
seat laughing; I gazed at him steadily and 
transfixed him. I never saw a more com- 
plete case of funk! 

Meanwhile, Bella John went on praying 
with increasing power, when, suddenly, as 



1 Mohammedan teachers. 



THE SEVENTH WEEK 49 



though it were one man, fully 125 or 150 
men sprang to their feet and made for the 
doors ; they acted as though the evil spirits 
were after them! They could not get 
through the door-ways quickly enough and 
stuck in the aisles. Mrs. Bella finished and 
I started the Lord's prayer. We repeated 
it three times before the crowd could get 
through the doors. It was a complete rout ! 

As soon as they were all out of the 
church, we started a testimony meeting and 
the crowd began to drift back by twos and 
threes, as though they could not help it, 
and didn't know why they had left in the 
first place. We had victorious testimony 
for fifteen minutes and then quietly dis- 
missed. The district people are beginning 
to get into the swing of it. 

After the meeting Bal Kishen's brother 
came forward and talked with me. His 
brother-in-law is very angry, and it is 
evident that our people must have more 
'power and a baptism of holy love in order 
to draw him over the line! If he comes it 
means others are coming. 

I was intending to go right to bed, but 
think I'll close this page and get to prayer. 
I feel stronger and we must win! It is 
now 11:45. 



Ill 

THE EIGHTH WEEK 



As they went on the way, a certain man 
said unto him, I will follow thee whither* 
soever thou goest. And Jesus said unto 
him, The foxes have holes, and the birds 
of the heaven have nests; hut the Son of 
man hath not where to lay his head. 

And he said unto another, Follow me. 
But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and 
bury my father. But he said unto him, 
Leave the dead to bury their own dead; 
but go thou and publish abroad the king- 
dom of God. 

And another also said, I will follow thee, 
Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell 
to them that are at my house. But Jesus 
said unto him, No man, having put his 
hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit 
for the kingdom of God. 

— From the Gospel of Luke. 



1. The Greatest Stretch! 

Monday, May 10, 1909. 

To-day we began the eighth week of the 
meetings. What shall we see? My throat 
was very sore this morning when we be- 
gan service at 7 :30. There was a good 
spirit but I talked too much! 

Ida read the first chapter of Acts in 
preparation for our day of Pentecost. I 
followed and talked on "who" were at Jeru- 
salem. Pointed it to each one — Peter, John, 
Zebedee, Martha, etc. Then all prayed. 
There seemed to be some straight praying. 
There was some blessing, also; perhaps 
more than I realize. 

Bhopal was the first to speak and his face 
was shining. Then followed a large num- 
ber — some, as I thought, because they 
feared it would reflect on their izzat 1 not 
to speak! God knows. I must believe that 
these dark minds and dark hearts are ex- 
panding. If I don't believe, how can I cre- 
ate faith in them? God help me! 

Making our Christians truly Christian 
is the greatest stretch of my faith. Com- 
pared with this, the conversion of Hindus 
and Mohammedans is dead easy! I asked 

Childs to get after and 

and bring them together. 

2. Love Will Win 
— Evening: I was dead with sleep this 

1 Honor. 



53 



54 



TEN WEEKS 



afternoon. My cold is in my eyes and 
throat. Slept till four o'clock; then had 
good pray until five. Miss Lawson and 
Miss Pool called before the evening serv- 
ice to talk on high school affairs. We 
were all late to church. 

Christ was present among the people 
without any doubt. Ida read with free- 
dom in Acts 2. The crowd was large 
but they came in by ones and twos. There 
was no concerted action as last night. And 
they remained to the end. 

Gulzari called me out to talk with a 
young man from the Punjab who wanted 
to confess Christ, a high school graduate 
employed here in an office. He seems to 
have given his heart to Jesus. When I 
gave the call he not only lifted his hand 
but stood and faced the crowd saying 
he believed in Jesus Christ ; then he came 
and bowed at the altar. Jai Ram started 
"Jai Prabhu Yisu" 1 — and called the work- 
ers forward. There was much faith. 

Bal Kishen's young brother, also his 
friend, came forward and sat in the front 
seat; a young man who goes with them 
pressed up from the back and sat in the 
third seat. 

After prayer the young man at the altar 
stood and I read the Baptismal vows to 
him. His answers were clear, accompanied 
by "Beskakk." 2 Then I cut his chhutiya 3 
and baptized him — Takht Bam. He is a 



^'Victory, Lord Jesus." 
« Without Doubt. 

3 A wisp of hair that marks most Hindus. 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 55 



Kathri. The people were very happy, and 
we closed with a glowing testimony meet- 
ing. 

Just a few moments ago, while I was 

writing this, knocked at the daftar 

and wanted to see "Mem Sahiba"; wanted 
to massage her — a sure sign that the spirit 

of love is at work. If has been 

won, then surely will come also. 

Love will win! 

3. Scissors and Salvation 

Tuesday, May 11th. 

This morning Ida read Isaiah fifty-two, 
"Awake! Awake !" I think the Lord got 
to dealing with the souls of the preachers. 

went out with Childs and 

Misri Lai got down at the 

altar. I believe they will be brought to- 
gether. There was a tremendous volume 
of prayer going on. 

Gulzari called for scissors and cut the 
chhutiya from one of the pastor teachers 
who had not been well taught. I used the 
case to point an exhortation to the preach- 
ers-in-charge — that a Christian preacher's 
equipment must be Bible, hymnbook and 
scissors ! 

The young man whom I baptized last 
night was present this morning and down 
at the altar in prayer with the Christians. 
That's where the Lord will search him and 
bless him. It's the Fellowship. Chiranji 
Lai told me I should have cut the Kathri 
cord that he wore. I didn't know he wore 
one — my ignorance! Well, I'll question 



56 



TEN WEEKS 



him and let him cut it. I think he is un- 
questionably converted. 

4. Praying In Circles 

There was a real spirit of expectancy and 
prayer. The preachers demanded an after- 
noon prayer meeting and it was announced 
for three o'clock at Parade Church. Never- 
theless, this evening's service was dead, or 
apparently so. I should have been present 
at the afternoon meeting to guide the vil- 
lage preachers. I fear they prayed in 
circles. To-night the people came in late, 
were sleepy, and the testimonies dragged. 
There was pandemonium in the street and 
the audience was constantly shifting. Glad- 
win Shah fell down the pulpit steps and 
all the babies yelled! 

The Mussulmans in the roadway kept 
singing and talking. One of them came 
in and sat down near the back, a green 
festoon hanging from his right ear. As 
Ida closed the reading— she read the Cross 
— he arose and began wiping his eyes. I 
called Daisy Paul to pray and stood up and 
looked at him with all rebuking. He leered 
and looked and presently got up and walked 
out. Then I gave the invitation. 

But there was no response. Our people 
seemed dead, so I dismissed the meeting. 
It was too bad, after the faith and expect- 
ancy of the morning. I cannot leave them 
to conduct their own prayer meetings until 
there is more spiritual understanding. God 
wants intelligent cooperation, not moon- 
ing. Our people must pray in straight 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 57 



lines, not circles. Talking with God isn't 
like a prayer-mill. God is a Person. 

Wrote to Bishop Warne about the high 
school, got my manager's report to the 
inspector, and saw Edmunds about the 
Fatehgarh Cemetery. "Things" keep crowd- 
ing in and must be looked after, that's 
all! Well, if I have to "serve tables" 
and "give myself to prayer" also, then I'll, 
have to be given double strength. That's 
all I can make out of it, for the revival 
must go. God is able for this also. 

5. Twenty Thousand Eupees Troubles 
Bal Ejshen 

Wednesday, May 12th. 

It has been a day of spiritual dealing 
with our district people. Last night Ida 
and I felt desperate and remained up for 
another hour of prayer. We had victory, 
too. The fact is, unless God's Spirit goes 
through our preachers we are not going to 
see what God wants us to see. 

At this morning's meeting Ida read part 
of Ezekiel Nine. There was considerable 
prayer, but not much victory of faith. 
Bal Kishen's young brother is hedging. He 
was at the morning meeting. He has cut 
his chhutiya, and thrown away his Brah- 
man's thread, but he sticks at baptism* 
From what Bal Kishen says, his brother's 
trouble is his own share of the paternal 
Rs. 20,000. Baptism will cut him off deadt 

I don't blame the boy. It's a question 
of comparative values. We must have the 
kind of joyful salvation that will fetch 



58 



TEN WEEKS 



him, and this is where we lack. Our dis- 
trict people do not seem to have the Liv- 
ing Water — not yet. 

6. A Clever Preacher 

After the morning meeting I talked to 

and his wife. Both wept, but no 

victory came. It is so difficult to deal with 
them, and yet I believe the old way of 
frankly expecting confession and for- 
giveness is the only way. 

At twelve o'clock came 

to me in the daftar. He said he "had heard" 

that was to be appointed 

preacher-in-charge of Circuit in 

place of him. I thought that, but spoke of 

it to no one. could not have 

"heard" it, he simply reasoned it out, show- 
ing how clever he really is. 

I asked him if he was willing to give 
his position to , and he an- 
swered flat, "No." I like him the better 
for saying it. Nevertheless, I'm letting 
him fight it out, for if he becomes God's 
man he must be all there. But I don't want 
any hypocrisy about it, no saying "Yes" 
then murmuring. Preachers of all sorts do 
too much of that! 

7. Money! Money! Money! 

Muassai Singh came to me with the 

T)ania x who said that owed him 

twelve rupees, and he must have the money. 

Is it true? I gave twelve rupees in 

March to square up his last debt. Did he 



1 Grain merchant. 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 59 



use the money and not pay the debt? Did 
he keep back part of the price? Has he 
been a small Ananias? Dear Lord, I talk 
to Thee. My faith is whetted by every 
devil's device, and surely debt is the worst 
of them. 

I am just watching for the right time 
to go into this whole question. It will be 
ticklish business, unless God prepares the 

way. To think that has deceived 

me! There's no possible cure for this sort 
of thing unless our preachers recognize 
that money symbolizes the presence of God. 
It's like the sacrament ! It's useless to talk 
about "honesty" — my preachers are honest! 
They simply don't understand about God's 
ownership. What makes the matter so des- 
perate is that the Church (in England 
and America, I mean) has got things so 
messed up that a fellow seems to be an- 
nouncing strange doctrine when he talks 
about the simplest foundations of property. 

Poor — ! He has done a sinful thing, 

but I feel more sorrowful than angry. I 
must go into this whole matter, that's sure ! 
Dekha jaega hi hya hoga. 1 

8. Why We Lost Our Audience 

At four o'clock we had a special meet- 
ing of workers in Parade Church. Ida read 
in Deuteronomy, the regulations about war 
— how the fearful ones and those not free 
to fight were to go home. I think the mes- 
sage carried. 



1 Literally: It shall be seen what shall be; or, "We'll see.' 



€0 



TEN WEEKS 



At the city meeting this evening our 
people were all there on time and a tre- 
mendous volume of prayer went up before 
seven o'clock. Half a dozen British soldiers 
were there; it is blessing them to come, for 
they know they are welcome. Miss Kobert- 
son was there also. 

Ida read 1 John 2, also part of Kevela- 
tion 18. She read with strength. Stones 
rattled on the roof frequently but no one 
paid any attention. At the altar service 
a number of us went down to the door 
to pray, and the crowd bolted. I think it 
was because the big door was closed and 
only the side doors left open. They may 
have thought we had surrounded them to 
pray something down upon them. Well, 
they were just right! 

O, God, the simplicity and faith of these 
people! Can we not win them for Thee? 

9. Who Are the "Keapers" ? 

Thursday, May 13th. 
This morning's meeting was a search- 
light. Ida read 1 John 1, "Walking in the 
Light." I talked on debt. But I touched 
it very gently. The light is not yet strong 
enough. 

One thing I feel keenly: Our people did 
not call themselves into this revival, we 
called them. Now, if we haven't strength 
to pray them through, the humiliation and 
shame will be ours — and Christ's. Our 
people are what they are. It is for us, for 
Ida and me, to make good! I announced 
to-morrow as a day of fasting and prayer 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 61 



and invited all, who desired, to fast with 
us; but not otherwise. 

The meeting in the city this evening had 
something of victory in it. There was a 
real sense of God's Presence at the early 
prayer service. I listened to the prayers 
of some of the little ones. Mathri's boy 
was praying vociferously, "Lord, let thy 
power come down!" God must answer 
that call! 

I have confidence in victory, neverthe- 
less, Satan seems to be routing us in the 
case of some of those who have been in 
the meetings. They were under such in- 
tense conviction at first, and they didn't 
yield. Now, without yielding, they are be- 
ing taken out of the meetings. They do 
not seem to want to go themselves, but 
they are taken out, by ones and twos. Ap- 
parently they fear to remain. 

There is neither sense nor Scripture in 
the suggestion that we are to be the sowers 
and others will be the reapers. Sardar tried 
to comfort us with those words to-night 
after the meeting. But it's a false inter- 
pretation which more than half the time 
excuses spiritual indolence on the part of 
Christian preachers. Without the touch of 
man upon man there's no such thing as 
social evolution, either. "Say not ye, there 
are yet four months and then cometh har- 
vest." We are the reapers, Now! But, O 
God, how to do it! 

Thursday night, 13th; later. 
It is twelve o'clock. Have just had an 



62 



TEN WEEKS 



!hour of walking before the Lord with 
prayer and praise. My faith is wonder- 
fully quickened. God is working, He will 
work. He wants us to walk with Him and 
work with Him. He is digging through 
some hard places, and we are helping Him. 
I believe there is fear in the hearts of 
many, and hope too. Now, Lord, hold us 
steady and help us to move straight for- 
ward. 

10. Debt, Money and New India 

Friday, May 14th. 

The morning meeting was a vigorous 
one, and fairly well drawn out! Began at 
7 o'clock and continued until 1:30. I sup- 
pose a good many of the preachers are still 
at it. It was announced as a day of fast- 
ing and prayer — and it was ! Ida started to 
read Ezekiel Nine again, but after a few 
verses the burden became too heavy. We 
all began to pray and the meeting went 
forward without finishing the Reading. 

About ten o'clock I began again to talk 
on debt and the helplessness of our people 
under the burden of it. I was tender, and 
did not raise my voice; but I was solemn 
and very plain about it. I think the word 
went through. 

I began by reminding them of what they 
all knew — that God was the Owner. I told 
them that paying a tithe was not to keep * 
up the district Pastor Fund but was to 
remind themselves of God's ownership, and 
so of God Himself. That is all I said about 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 6$ 



tithing, although I tried to make them 
understand that it was the center of the 
whole thing, because it kept them straight 
in their thinking and in their experience. 

Then I told them the shame that comes 
upon Christians in India because they da 
not remember God's ownership. I spoke 
of the sin of keeping back the pay of 
servants and the shame of being in debt 
to shopkeepers and banias. I told them 
that Christians in India would have to 
build a new kind of society, different from 
that of Hindus and Mohammedans and 
Parsis, and that it must be founded upon, 
righteousness, justice and brotherliness. I 
told them that a proper understanding of 
money, and all it stood for, was a part of 
the Christian ta'lim 1 and we must all try 
to understand it together. 

While I was talking had 

nothing but darkness in his face. So far 
as I could see, he was the only one who 
was utterly unhappy, and he was killed* 
But there's no use! This is his only hope 
as a preacher, and he must face the facts- 
His work is dead in his hands, he himself 
is heavy and dull, he simply groans under 
his debts and goes on piling them up. It 
has got to stop! I made an altar call and 
quite a number responded. It was on the 
proposition to get out of debt at once and 
stay out. I said it was no shame to go with- 
out shoes, and to wear dothi hurta* but it 
was a shame to continue in debt. 



1 Teaching. 1 

* Loin cloth and jacket. 



64: 



TEST WEEKS 



did not respond to the altar call, 

^uid after a while he left the church. 

11. Freedom and Power 

We had a blessed time of victory after 
twelve o'clock, and a consciousness of free- 
dom and power began to come to many. 
We marched round the church singing 
"Age Ohal! Age' Chair Then we shouted 
"Jai!" a and sang "Ham honge fathmand."* 
At the end we gathered in a circle extend- 
ing clear round the church, taking hold 
of hands in a covenant of prayer. I am 
confident blessing, courage and resolution 
will come. 

During my talk, , who had come 

down from Lucknow, entered the church and 
after the altar service stood up and spoke. 
He had some rupees with him with which 
to begin the repayment of his Cawnpore 

debts. He handed the money to 

and confessed his sin against the 

Church. Many still love him, but his is a 
broken life. Perhaps it may yet be mended 
and made into a worthy one. That is what 
the Lord wants to do and can do. 

Thakur Ram was present. He had writ- 
ten to his brother of his conversion and his 
brother has come on to revile him. He 
has been cast out of the family. God help 
him now! 

I feel much encouraged from this morn- 
ing's meeting. 

1 "Forward, forward March." 

* "Victory." 

* "We shall be triumphant." 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 65 



12. "Yes : In Your Opinion" 

At 5:30 went over to the "Girls' Clos- 
ing." A most excellent program, for Miss 
Greene has done hard work. I felt op- 
pressed when I saw our village children 
shrink away from the well dressed school 
girls. They looked so poor and pitiful 
and I knew how their hearts were full of 
envy. Is there any progress possible with- 
out heart-ache in those who are left be- 
hind? 

Hurried down to the church where an 
"open air" was already in full swing, led 
by Tom and Misri. Bless them! We had 
a wide awake meeting, full of faith. Ida 
read Romans five. Some soldier boys sang 
the "Glory Song" in English. 

After the reading I exhorted and gave 
the Mohammedans something to think 
about. The third master shot up and said 
"It isn't so"! when I affirmed that high 
minded Mohammedans were compelled to 
apologize for many of the acts of Mo- 
hammed, while Jesus Christ remains the 
one stainless life in history. I admired 
the boy's spirit and told him so, but I set 
him down, first, with a thundering "It is 
so"! Afterwards I talked quietly with him 
and his friend, a young Mohammedan who 
has just passed his entrance exam at Allah- 
abad University. "Yes, it is so in your 
opinion"! was the way they let themselves 
out. But I didn't want to argue with the 
boys, I only wanted to make them think. 
They're thinking! 



66 



TEN WEEKS 



13. Inayat Masih Talks 

My conversation with the second young 
Mohammedan brought out the fact that he 
had talked to Inayat Masih in the road, and 
afterwards Inayat went to his room at 
11 o'clock at night and remained talking 
to him until three in the morning. Inayat 
Masih said (and the remarkable thing is 
the young fellow told me the whole story) 
that he could not resist the drawing of the 
meetings at Central Church; when the 
Christians testified and prayed all his 
strength left him, and he had to come to 
Christ. But, he continued, the strange 
power remained with him only three days, 
and then left him. 

This testimony is to me a blessed con- 
firmation of the work of the Holy Spirit. 
It is specially significant as coming from 
a Mohammedan, and is spiritually like the 
experience of Ilahi Baksh in Bombay. Ina- 
yat was converted. His heart was melted. 
Then the light came; he must work and 
could not be supported gratis. He had no 
purpose nor habit of work, and he could 
not pay the price. The sharks found him 
and of course denial followed. But Ina- 
yat's unwilling testimony shows that we 
have struck a rich lead. We are on the 
right line. 

I believe Inayat Masih's testimony has 
convicted the young man himself; appar- 
ently he is seeking light. He promised to 
"meet me" between eleven and twelve to- 
night, in prayer. I'll be there ! 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 67 



14. A Challenge To Children 

As I was leaving the church a great 
crowd of Mohammedans came in. They 
were very quiet. The crowd stood solemn 
and still near the door while I talked to 
them. There were about fifty. I laugh- 
ingly said to them, after a few friendly 
words, "Now you must pray hard, and if 
your prayer is stronger than ours you will 
make us Mohammedans; we also will pray, 
and if our prayer is stronger you will be- 
come Christians." They seemed to enter 
into the spirit of the thing, though one or 
two appeared frightened. They are just 
like children. Will God have a better op- 
portunity to save them than just now, and 
just here? 

15. A Heavy Day and A Light Moham- 
medan 

Saturday, May 15th. 

A heavy day: Fatehgarh Cemetery ar- 
rangement completed with Edmunds of 
S. P. G. 1 Long letter to the inspector. 

Salcht 2 letter to . A second letter to 

Bishop Warne regarding the high school, 
also the Revival. 

At 5 :30 went to the "Boys' Closing" in 
the City Church. Place was packed out. 
Ida presided by special request of the boys 
and staff; they all love her. The recita- 
tions and songs were a capital success. Then 
the school was dismissed and we began the 



1 Society for the Propagation of the GospeL 

2 Stiff. 



68 



TEN WEEKS 



ruhani julsa. 1 The church filled up again 
almost immediately. 

Ida read Mattthew 16. 13 sqq. — Peter's 
Confession. There was the closest atten- 
tion. The young Mohammedan who seemed 
so full of interest last night deliberately 
rose up and walked out. I got to wondering 
about him, and worrying a little — whether 
he had overheard my words to Ida to bring 
out the meaning of "one of the prophets/' 
or if he had prayed according to promise 
and was fighting conviction, or if he was 
utterly light. I'm awfully afraid it's just 
that! But it bothers me. 

Late in the meeting a whole seat full of 
Aryas came in, headed by the same Arya 
from Bithoor whom we silenced by united 
prayer last fall. They listened but made 
no disturbance. 

16. Bal Kishen's Story 

After the meeting Bal Kishen told me a 
curious story. He said his "brother" (mean- 
ing his uncle's son) committed fraud by 
selling "stuffed" jewelry to the extent of 
Bs. 4,500 ; that it was a clear case and the 
police put him under arrest; that he (Bal 
Kishen) prayed earnestly and his "brother" 
had been discharged and would not be ! 
prosecuted. It happened to-day, that is, 
the discharge. I confess it sounds a little 
"far." 

Bal Kishen was the first to testify and 
seemed full of faith, whereas, for two or 



1 Spiritual meeting. 



THE EIGHTH WEEK 69 



three days, I have scarce seen him at a 
service. I must commit the man to God, 
for He only can straighten out his ethical 
kinks. The man unquestionably is in earn- 
est, yet all his ideas of morality are vague 
and shadowy. He was rejoicing over the 
victory of Christian faith (that's what he 
called it!) and praising God. The police 
also attribute the criminal's release to 
Bal Kishen's faith in God. 

Since coming home I've been thinking 
about it. Who shall stand up and say Bal 
Kishen's faith is not justified? There is a 
little and conventional morality that will 
say Impossible, God could not do it! But 
according to the history of Israel that is 
the very thing that Jehovah sometimes 
did. There is a larger morality that sees 
the whole trend of a man's or a nation's 
life. What a marvel of spiritual ethics that 
God can wink! 

To-night asked me about 

the possibility of going to Bareilly to study 
for the ministry. There are possibilities, 
but there are dangers also. It may mean 
a desire for "easy street," or it may mean 
an honest desire for Christ's Kingdom. I 
can only try the man until the Spirit leads 
aright. 

17. A Day of Kest 

Sunday, May 16th. 
A good attendance at Sunday school and 
a beautiful spirit. At four o'clock I talked 
with the mothers and fathers of our vil- 
lage girls and they all agreed to my sug- 



70 TEN" WEEKS 



gestion that the families having girls over 
nine years old should live inside the Board- 
ing School Compound. I think there will 
be no danger now. Our village girls must 
be protected. 

Mohan Lai preached to "little folks" at 
£ve. Miss Green and her girls were there, 
and all our little boys. A large audience 
in the City Church with a great crowd of 
Christian women and "occasional attend- 
ants" from other missions. Ida read "Not 
a hoof shall be left behind." Earnest at- 
tention but no seekers. 

Bal Kishen again told me the story of 
iis brother's fraud and is absolutely con- 
vinced that God heard his prayer. He sol- 
emnly affirmed, concerning the police — 
that they are constant and immoderate 
bribe-takers, and, as a result of this he- 
imani, 1 that they are childless and many 
become lepers. Bal Kishen says that bribe- 
taking, childlessness, and leprosy always go 
together — at least among the Cawnpore 
police ! 



1 Faithlessness. 



rv 

THE NINTH WEEK 



If I, by the Spirit of God, cast out de- 
mons, then is the Kingdom of God come 
upon you. Or how can one enter into the 
house of the strong man, and spoil his 
goods, except he first bind the strong man? 
and then he will spoil his house. He that 
is not with me is against me; and he that 
gathereth not with me scattereth. 

Therefore, I say unto you, Every sin and 
blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; 
but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall 
not be forgiven. And whosoever shall 
speak a word against the Son of man, it 
shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall 
speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not 
be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor 
in that which is to come. Either make 
the tree good, and its fruit good; or make 
the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for 
the tree is known by its fruit. 

Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew. 



1. A Keturn Center Blow 



Monday, May 17 th. 

To-day we began the ninth week and 
made a good day's progress. The morning 
meeting was one of more or less sparring. 
I called the roll — it took me half an hour 
or more — for I had to say some necessary 
things and roll call gave the opportunity. 
No one in particular was singled out. I 
haven't got all my preachers yet, but Fibl 
getting them — I'm sure of that. 

Ida read John 15 — Fruit that Eemains. 
Eva Izhaq came to see her this afternoon 
and got a little light, I think. I worked 
on a hymn-sheet of Cawnpore songs. 

This evening in the city we had grip- 
ping testimonies. Ida read of the Dusra 
Madadgar* and spoke briefly. Then I fol- 
lowed with the center blow of Mohammed's 
blasphemy in claiming to be the Other 
Comforter himself, and drove into them 
tremendously for a few minutes. It struck 
like an electric bolt. The congregation had 
about gone but men came hurrying back 
into the church. I am sure it is the word that 
will go through them, for it gives them 
some recognition of spiritual things. Now 
that the word has been spoken it can be said 
again and again, and shall be. Perhaps 
God will use it to open up the truth, for 



* Other (or second) Comforter (or Helper). 

73 



74 



TEN WEEKS 



a Mohammedan's carnal conception of the 
Holy Spirit is something appalling! One 
of them was ridiculing the idea of the 
Spirit of God entering a man's chest — 
which was the nearest he could get to the 
indwelling of the Spirit in a Christian's 
heart. That meeting surely did become 
electric ! 

After the city service we came to Pa- 
rade Church and continued in prayer from 
10 until 12:30. Eifty or sixty were pres- 
ent, some from every circuit. There was 
faith and power, specially among our 
Cawnpore people. They really lifted. Some 
of the district preachers are hairan 1 be- 
cause I said that deliberate going into debt 
was almost like chori. 2 Perhaps chori was 
a little stiff, but the preachers must be 
jarred out of this folly and sin of debt, 
debt, debt! 

2. Shall I Go To Bed? 

Tuesday, May 18th. 

This morning Ida read Isaiah 40; read 
with great tenderness and God followed 

the reading with special blessing. 

seemed to get victory. If he can 

get clear through on the money question 
I believe he will become a great preacher. 
The fruit of last night's praying was evi- 
dent in many. Ed and his wife were pres- 
ent. Slept this afternoon longer than usual ; 
was all in! 

To-night Ida read part of John fifth — 

1 Perplexed. 
* Theft. 



THE NINTH WEEK 75 



the Kesurrection. I closed and sent the 
message home. The Mohammedans are evi- 
dently lying in wait for me, for the place 
fills up the moment I begin to speak. Last 
night's hammer struck a living nail. Can 
the Lord force it home? Am going to bed 
to-night — at least I think so! Perhaps I'll 
have to pray, though, for things are fast 
heading up. 

3. Not One of Nana's Butchers! 

Wednesday, May 19th. 

This has been a rich day. Ida read this 
morning — The Whole Armor, Ephesians 
6. 10 sqq. The people prayed with glad- 
ness, then sang like angels for an hour. 

Two nights ago, when I gave that talk 
about Mohammed and the Dusra Madadgar, 
a young fellow lunged at me as we were 
getting into the trap. He seemed greatly 
excited and Ida was alarmed. In fact, I 
felt my own nerves quiver a little. I some- 
times find myself remembering (like a 
knife in my back!) that Nana Sahib's 
mutton butchers still have their stalls near 
Central Church — that is, the sons and 
grandsons of those gentlemen who helped 
fill the Memorial Well. I've thought of it 
frequently of late: showing that I've got 
to get a fresh grip on myself! Well, this 
morning, this same Mohammedan was at 
the meeting, sitting back with a young 
Bengali. At the close he said he wanted 
to talk to me and then confessed that for 
six days he has been sick with conviction. 
He prayed in the name of Jesus and God 



76 



TEN WEEKS 



seemed to bring blessing. He said lie was 
sure he would have to become a Christian, 
and said he would remain true even if he 
were shot for it! He appeared frightened. 
After I had talked with him a little while 
he said that he was ready for baptism, 
but wanted to go to his house to bring 
away his clothes, money, etc. ; that he would 
come to Parade Church at four o'clock to 
receive baptism and then would leave Cawn- 
pore until his people quieted down. But 
he didn't come! Ida awoke at three and 
was quite distressed about him; feared he 
had simply tried to deceive me. But I 
think he's honest and we'll see him again. 

An Arya was converted this morning; 
at least that was his testimony, though I 
didn't find myself responding to his words. 
~Not much ring to them! This evening 
our preachers went into the mohallas 1 to 
hold meetings and didn't get to Central 
Church until 7:30. Very large congrega- 
tion. Had nothing but testimony, song, 
and prayer. Then I had Shah give the 
altar call. Perhaps Ida should have given 
a reading, for it was a great opportunity. 
But we're not finished yet ! 

Have prepared to talk tithing to-morrow 
morning; God honor the word! It is late 
and I must get to prayer. 

4. Tithing 

Thursday, May 20th, 
Undoubted progress to-day. Talked on 



1 City ward or division. 



THE NINTH WEEK 77 



tithing this morning. At first it was hard 
work and the preachers were restless. But 
as I got farther along, the thing began 
to enlarge, and soon I knew I was getting 
hold of the best preachers and women in 
the district. When I had finished, and 
read my Tithers' Covenant, I turned to 
paste it into the frame that Misri Lai 
had brought from the hharJchana. 1 But 
before I could do so Benjamin Gardiner 
sprang to his feet and took the paper from 
me. His name is first. I was surprised 
and grateful. Every preacher-in-charge 
signed the Covenant. I believe the truth 
has struck in! In all there were thirty- 
nine names, mardana zenana 2 — a good start. 

In my talk I did not mention Self Sup- 
port nor Pastor Fund but made them see 
(Fm sure most of them saw it) that tithing 
is a simple and natural way of worshiping 
God and was practised from the beginning. 
The tithe makes us remember, first, God's 
personality (that was hard but I made it 
as simple as possible), second, his sover- 
eignty, and third, his loving kindness. I 
explained that because money is in our 
hand every day it becomes easy for us to 
worship God every day. I was going to 
show how God was worshiped in the be- 
ginning by the sacrifice of sheep and lambs 
and other valuable things, but I saw they 
had all they could hold! I'll save that 
for another time. 

Fm all excited about it! I feel that 



1 Workshops. 

* Men and Women. 



78 



TEN WEEKS 



Stewardship is going to be established in 
the district so that the preachers will really 
understand what it means. I want to get 
together all "the objections" — the more the 
better! — so that I can know just what the 
people are saying. Then I intend to 
write "The Victory of Mangal Singh" 
which will knock "Mary Christopher" off 
the boards. Some job, at that ! I got a plan 
of the whole thing while the preachers 
turned loose and talked tithing for an 
hour. Gardiner got me to shouting when 
he said that tithing would help our people 
to recognize God eh dam 1 . He's got it! 
Next talk HI take up Self Support. If 
it goes (and I believe it will) it will go 
tremendously. 

5. "I An A Prophet To-night" 

To-night Ida read Revelation five, and 
talked about the Redeemed in Heaven. She 
spoke of our little ones who always are in 
the presence of God. Then she referred to 
the fearful death rate of children in India, 
that it is a menace to the growth of the 
Church. She urged the preachers to teach 
the people simple lessons in hygiene, and 
told the Mohammedans that if they wanted 
to see their children who had died, they 
must come to Christ; for all the little 
children are with Him. It was Christian 
family night. 

In the midst of the testimonies, at the 
close of the reading, I drew a "picture" to 



1 One breath — an idiom signifying In a moment, At once. 



THE NINTH WEEK 79 



show the difference between a Christian 
and a Mohammedan home, though I made 
no reference to Mohammedanism as such. 
I called A. M. Shah and Agnes, Ram Lai 
and Ruth, and Jai Ram and Bertha, and 
asked them to stand inside the altar fac- 
ing the audience. They came quite obedi- 
ently and stood while all the people looked 
at them. Agnes appeared particularly 
beautiful as she stood there beside her 
husband. Then I said in a quiet voice, 
"Brother Shah, I am a prophet to-night 
and I now give you authority to take a 
second wife, and then a third, if you so 
desire." Poor Agnes nearly sank into the 
ground, but Shah was quick to see what I 
was driving at and held her closely by the 
arm. Then I repeated the same words to 
Ram Lai and Jai Ram, and told them to 
take their seats again. The whole congre- 
gation seemed to be shocked; indeed I felt 
shocked myself, and regretted that I had 
played so bold u stroke. Many Moham- 
medans were present; they appeared 
stunned and stung. 

No souls to-night. Am afraid my "pic- 
ture" was too much for them. Committee 
met this afternoon to investigate the 

charges against . Not a happy 

business. The case was put before them 
and they will decide later. 

6. Tithing Again 

Friday, May 21st 
The morning meeting broke loose. It 
was general fast day and the people, es- 



80 



TEN WEEKS 



pecially the preachers, seemed to realize the 
joy of it. Mohan Lai got to exhorting about 
debt and tithing, and he was followed by 
Jai Ram. I never touched the meeting 
until the preachers were talked out. Names 
are multiplying on the Tithe Covenant 
without another word from me. There 
were more than a hundred names at the 
close of the morning service. Shah's name 
goes into the special list for Cawnpore 
Church. What a beginning of things if 
Gulzari Lai will hold them steady — and I 
believe he will. 

After "tithing" had gone for about an 
hour Ida read Daniel nine, and God surely 
helped her. Then we prayed — one by one, 
then in chunks, then en masse. The whole 
congregation was praying and no one 
seemed to hear what anybody else said. 
Xaruna Dhar got tremendously in earnest 
and her voice rang out like a trombone. 
Then I divided them into circuits and 
placed them in companies all round the 
church, telling them to pray for their com- 
munity needs. Cawnpore didn't finish till 
long after the others; Gulzari said they 
had twice as much to pray for as the rest! 
Then such singing and shouting! Dear old 
Brij Lai got to dancing and swung round the 
church like a blessed buffalo! Then every 
one sat in quietness and I spoke a few 
closing words. Ida and I left them at 12 :30 
and came to the bungalow. We heard them 
singing for an hour afterward. O, thank 
God! The preachers are learning the joy 
of fasting, and will know its power. 



THE NINTH WEEK 81 



7. What Will You Do With Sin ? 

This evening in the city the meeting was 
full of Jesus; His power, but mostly His 
love. Ida read Komans seven. Sin: What 
will you do with Sin? Teaching or no 
teaching, Bible or Koran, religion or no 
religion — what will you do with Sin? It 
has been with you all your life, it has 
been with you all day, it is with you now. 
You will sleep with Sin when you close 
your eyes to-night, you will rise with it 
to-morrow morning, you will live with it, 
die with it. Unless you are freed from 
it, Sin will stay with you forever. It eats 
like leprosy, and you cannot escape the 
blight of it, here or hereafter. Jesus can 
heal you. He knows all about Sin, for 
that is His business — to Save sinners. He 
can heal you now, to-night. Will you let 
Him do it? I have seldom heard Ida read 
with greater freedom and effect. The after 
meeting was very tender. When I told 
the people, especially the Mohammedans, 
how we loved them, it seemed to hill them. 
Yet there was no move that we could see. 

8. Explain the Trinity 

After the meeting the Bilhaur moulvi 
came up to me. He has written twice since 
I talked with him in January. He said he 
just wanted to see me again. After a 
minute or two he put the same question 
that he did at Bilhaur — "Explain the 
Trinity and I'll become a Christian." He 
looked so pathetically at me that I felt 



82 



TEN WEEKS 



utterly helpless. I just told him that I 
knew God in three Persons even though 
I couldn't explain the mystery of it. Then 
we sat down and I got him to thinking 
how water is still water whether it is flow- 
ing in the wide and deep Ganges, or be- 
coming moisture inside an orange, or 
standing straight up as a piece of ice. 
Of course, it didn't explain anything, but 
it helped him to see that he could think of 
God in three different ways without be- 
coming an idolater. My words actually 
seemed to help him, 

9. A Visit From A Lawyer 

Saturday, May 22nd. 

This morning I finished editing "Khair 
KhwaK" for June 6th and 13th. Ed called, 
much blessed. Tried to rest. 

At 4 :30 a Mohammedan gentleman called 
at the daftar and Debi brought me his 
card — Mr. Abdul Gaffar, Thatrai Bazar, 
Chowk. He seemed to be an educated man ; 
said he had studied law in London. His 
English showed it. He said he wanted 
to talk with me about what he called my 
"hit," last Thursday night at the City 
Church. My telling Shah he could take two 
or three more wives has gone through the 
City like a sword! Mr. Gaffar freely ad- 
mitted my accusation — for he called it 
that — against Mohammedans as a class, 
but wanted me to know that educated Mo- 
hammedans repudiated polygamy altogether. 
I did not contradict him, although he must 



THE NINTH WEEK 83 

I be acquainted with Cawnpore Moham- 
medans who say they are educated. We 
had a heart to heart talk about Jesus Christ. 
What amazed me was his insistence that 
Mohammed was in very truth the Other 
Comforter whom Jesus promised! O, Holy 
Spirit, how long shall this blasphemy con- 
tinue ! 

To-night's meeting was a strange one. 
When Ida began to speak of Christ's Sec- 
ond Coming a great crowd of Moham- 
medans went out together. They stood in 
the road, right in front of the church, talk- 
ing and discussing most excitedly. Ida 
then turned and read the Comforter. He 
is come! Conviction surely is upon the 
people. 

10. The Sabbath of Eest 

Sunday, May 23rd. 
Last night, about eleven, I started to 
bed, having tried my very best to pray. 
But nothing came; there was no lift. Ida 
had gone to bed early and was sound asleep, 
for which I was grateful. When I got to 
the roof I heard Jai Kam's voice and saw 
lights in the upper windows of the church. 
I knew they were at prayer and went down 
to dress and join them. Just as I was ready 
Sammy John knocked at the door. The 
dear people were waiting for me. I went 
over to the church with Sammy and for 
nearly two hours we had victorious prayer. 
I went to bed at 1 :15 wonderfully refreshed 
and slept soundly. 

It has been a good day, full of rest and 



84 



TEN WEEKS 



quietness. I wrote "Quwwat Nazil Kar" 
this afternoon and think it will go! 

To-night there was another large congre- 
gation in the city and Ida read Revelation 
22. She had a hard time, as it was a crowd 
of Christians from missions somewhat 
indifferent to the revival. Ida had to press 
home some very straight questions. Some 
of the eleventh hour comers may be blessed, 
even yet. However, there was no movement. 
It was another shifting congregation, that 
so tires Ida. We had a good testimony 
service at the close, which awakened con- 
siderable interest. 

At eleven o'clock another victorious 
prayer service at Parade Church. About 
fifty present. Ida is better and I am feel- 
ing glorious. Now for a sprint! 



THE TENTH WEEK 



And they ashed him, saying, Teacher, 
we know that thou sayest and teachest 
rightly, and acceptest not the person of 
any, but of a truth teachest the way of 
God: Is it lawful for us to give tribute 
unto Ccesar, or not? 

But he perceived their craftiness, and 
said unto them, Show me a denarius. 
Whose image and superscription hath it? 
And they said, Ccesar 's. And he said unto 
them, Then render unto Ccesar the things 
that are Ccesar s, and unto God the things 
that are God's. 

And they were not able to take hold 
of the saying before the people: and they 
marvelled at his answer, and held their 
peace. 

— An Incident in the Gospel of Luke. 



1. The Last Week Opens 



Monday, May 24th. 

To-day began the tenth week, and, I 
suppose, the last week of the meetings. 
That will carry us to May 30th. On the 
31st the preachers and their families will 
start for the district. That is the an- 
nounced plan. God guide us during these 
closing days! 

This morning's meeting was a heart- 
searcher. Ida read "Sennacharib" and she 
certainly made things interesting, espe- 
cially when she spoke of "carrying water 
to the enemy." It was close work but it 
had to be done. After the reading several 
pastor teachers seemed to come into the 
light of forgiveness. More names were 
added to the list of tithers; that Covenant 
hanging on the wall is a constant sermon. 

Tried out "Quwwat Nazil Ear/' 1 The 
people took to it like fish to water. It 
will be a strong help to faith. I must cul- 
tivate the ability to write bhajans. 2 

The meeting in the city was strong, 
though some of our people were stupid. 
I suppose they're really tired. Ida read 
Romans eight, and spoke on sin and "the 
reprobate mind." Great crowd of Hindus 
and Mohammedans, but the sense of con- 
viction seems less. I exhorted and spoke of 
their hopelessness without Christ — that the 

1 "Let the Power Come Down." 

2 Hindustani folk-songs. 

87 



TEN WEEKS 



physical life in their bodies was the thin 
wall that separated them from a hopeless 
eternity. It makes me tremble to say it, 
yet what else can one say without becom- 
ing maudlin about some far off "larger 
hope"? I cannot forget the stern solem- 
nity of Jesus when He warned men of 
spiritual sclerosis. Only, men must have a 
chance ! 

Their utter lack of knowledge of sin, the 
specious folly and unmorality of all their 
thinking is sickening! Hell already is with 
them and in them; what's the use of talk- 
ing of hell hereafter ? They've got it now — 
inability to see God. Higgins of the Eng- 
lish Church says they're hopeless, that 
"their number is 666" and they're doomed! 
Well, he's wrong. Prayed from eleven until 
twelve. A light, and faith! 

2. A Tithing Question Box 

Tuesday, May 25th. 
At the morning service I called for a 
tithing question box. The preachers re- 
sponded and it continued for an hour 
or more. The revelation of God is surely 
coming to our people. Some are being 
tempted, and it did them good to talk it 
out. Many are thinking strong, earnest 
thoughts. 

I spent some time on practical questions 
of "How?" It helped them amazingly to 
see that they could really do it. Then I took 
up Self Support and showed how God 
Himself had planned for it greatly, and 



THE TENTH WEEK 89 



not as an "extra" for the Einance Com- 
mittee or the Conference to work out. 

Gulzari Lai became enthusiastic as he 
talked of the wonderful things Cawnpore 
Church could do without ever asking or 
expecting the Mission to give them a rupee. 
His head went up in real pride because 
India was going to stand up and be 
counted! Gardiner and Mohan Lai made 
strong speeches. Mohan Lai astonished 
me; this is going to make a new man of 
him. 

Ida followed with the tenth of Hebrews. 
The result was definite altar work with a 
few seeking Holiness. The tithe is a strong 
test, a definite line to work to. 

3. This Is That 

At 5:30 there was a nasty hot andhi;* 
it was like a furnace. The preachers and 
boys distributed five thousand "Yih Wuh 
'&ai" z Not a large congregation to-night. 
The storm prostrated many. The young 
man was back who came during the first 
two weeks and then left — the young fellow 
from Christ College. A moulvi is holding 
forth tremendously, just across the road 
from the church; has built a booth and be- 
gins talking as the people are coming from 
the service. Childs told me that four new 



2 A wind storm. 

8 The reference here is to 5,000 green handbills containing 
in heavy Arabic script the three words "This is That.'* 
The following day 5,000 more bills were distributed in the 
city, containing the full scripture, Acts 2. 16 — "This is 
that which was spoken by the prophet Joel," etc. 



90 



TEN WEEKS 



moulvtes have been sent for from Aligarh. 
Good! 

4. Faith and Folly 

This afternoon, when I saw Mrs. Bella 
John, she was shaking with a chill. Little 
Gladwin prayed that she might get better 
"so as to go to Church to-night." She 
was there! As I think about it, I never 
have known such praying as we have had 
these last few days. The preachers are at it 
constantly. God must answer, is answer- 
ing! Make me intelligent, O God, that 
I may be a wise leader for this obedient 
and willing people! 

Abdul Gaffar, the lawyer, was at the 
morning service, but Fm almost sorry he 
came. and he had a "discus- 
sion" which was worse than folly. Ques- 
tion: "How can the blood of Jesus wash 
away sin?" The lawyer argued — Blood is 
red, how therefore can blood make clean? 
Fleshly, animal thoughts — and he studied 
in London. A true Mohammedan ! 

Hymn sheets are in proof — thirty new 
songs. 

— I was just starting to bed but heard 
them praying in the church and went over. 
God was there. Two Mohammedans knelt 
with us and tried to pray. Feel refreshed 
and equal to another hour. 

5. Tithing A Condition of Baptism 

Wednesday, May 26th. 
This morning's meeting marked progress. 
I broached the question: "Ought tithing 



THE TENTH WEEK 91 



to be required as a condition of baptism ?" 
The separated portion is to acknowledge 
God himself. Therefore it ought to be part 
of our village ta'lim. 1 Separating the tithe 
must not rest on the willingness of church 
members "to pay." That whole conception 
is arbitrary and artificial and will not stand 
a day after the missionaries stop bolster- 
ing it! It must rest on the acknowledg- 
ment of God Himself, not in word hut 
in act. The Mission has the same authority 
to require tithing as a condition of bap- 
tism that it has to require mutalashis* 
to give up eating carrion and holding feasts 
for the dead. It's all a matter of the use 
of good judgment in helping the people 
to cut loose from heathenism and under- 
stand real Christianity. 

The mischief of it is I've got to help 
the preachers unlearn some established 
theories of "gradual self-support" which 
never did succeed and never can. Take 
it throughout the Mission, self-support is 
not appreciably greater than it was years 
ago; at least in the villages. The fact is, 
self-support must be a creation rather than 
a development; it is not so much a mat- 
ter of growth as of attitude. A Christian 
idea of life, money and society is funda- 
mental to the establishment of a Christian 
community in India, if ever Christianity 
expects to reach commanding influence — ■ 
and the one place to teach fundamental 
things is at the bottom! If self-support is 



1 Teaching. 

2 Inquirers. 



92 



TEN WEEKS 



not born with the birth of the church 
itself, whether in the villages or the city, 
it is because the church is not well born. 

It was ticklish business to say all this, 
or any part of it, for it is evident that the 
policy heretofore has been to "work up" 
to self-support by gradual development; 
apparently no one has expected it to begin 
at once. 

After my talk the preachers discussed 
it for nearly an hour, with varying opin- 
ions. Gardiner feared it would cut down 
the number of baptisms (at first un- 
doubtedly correct), and then immediately 
added "It would make our Christians 
pakJca/ n I said nothing further but let 
the preachers talk it through — nothing 
must be done suddenly. The fact that they 
are able to discuss it as a matter of mis- 
sion policy is momentous. They are be- 
ginning to talk from the inside. That 
means new ideals. con- 
stitutionally is agin' the gov'ment, and 
is often weak in his positions; but he is 
true. 

4>. "This Is That" Does the Business! 

Ida read "Gideon" and the Lord wonder- 
fully blessed the story of the three hundred 
tried men. When she spoke of the broken 
vessels, she broke the hearts of preachers. 
Takht Ram and Bal Kishen had a quarrel 
after the service. I believe they are both 
converted, but they need a lot, a lot ! After 



1 Thorough, well established. 



THE TENTH WEEK 93 



dismissal I called a few of the preachers 

to talk of 's case ; he demands 

formal investigation. It will be held on 
Saturday. Put the case in charge of Mohan 
Lai. 

This evening was great ! "Yih Wuh Hai n 
did the business! The church was packed 
and the spirit of testimony fell upon our 
people. They talked and sang and quoted 
poetry, original and otherwise. Jai Ram 
sang "Jamna Sukh Gay a" 2, with tremen- 
dous effect ; it has a real grip to it. It was 
band wagon night and everybody wanted 
to get in! Well, Fm glad. Everybody en- 
joys a victory but somebody has to do the 
digging. It's back-breaking business, but 
it does the job! 

7. Takht Eam Is Tempted and Shah Is 
Sick 

Takht Ram sat clear back and did not 
speak in the testimony meeting. This 
morning's quarrel! I heard to-night that 
the Mohammedans have bought up the 
Thakur whom I baptized several weeks 
ago. I hardly credit it, yet it is perfectly 
credible. They are on the defensive and 
ready to buy up anyone who is for sale. 
But God is with us! 

Shah has been in fever for several days 
and was desperately ill to-day. Agnes sent 
for me on the run. When I entered the 
house he was lying across the bed and 
for a moment I was startled at what seemed 

1 "This Is That" — See footnote on page 89. 
1 "The Jamna Has Gone Dry." 



94 



TEN WEEKS 



the death pallor on his face. Mrs. Bella 
was weeping and Agnes threw herself on 
the ground and began to scream. I quieted 
her and then got hold of God. As I held 
Shah's wrist and prayed I felt his pulse 
grow stronger. I do not think he will die. 
Raise him, O, God, and save him for thy 
work! He is becoming very prosperous and 
needs strong and faithful guidance. He 
was better when I left him. 

8. A New Social Order 

Thursday, May 27th. 

The morning meeting gripped things 
again. The preachers continued the dis- 
cussion of tithing as a condition of baptism. 
They are actually getting it — the tithe as 
the acknowledgment of God. It really 
finds them. Chayan and some of the other 
pastor teachers got hold without difficulty. 
If they can understand that money is a 
holy thing it will cure debt! 

But it will do much more than that, it 

will help preachers like and 

to come down out of the 

clouds and make Christian doctrine and 
Christian experience a living reality. God 
will become a Person instead of an Idea. 

How Hinduism still saturates 

whenever he thirties, and if my preachers 
don't think what's the use! They must 
think, and they must learn to think as 
Christians. 

When I talked about the new kind of 
society that God wanted the Christians to 
build in India — no caste, no injustice, good 



THE TENTH WEEK 95 



wages, good houses, good education and 
plenty to eat — the dear preachers just sat 
there and cried ! And then I said that tith- 
ing would help to bring it about, for the 
good things of this world depend on 
money and tithing makes us remember that 
the silver and the gold belong to God. 

How can we leave these people! Ida 
and I have talked seriously of giving up 
our furlough and staying on. After nine 
years in India we seem just ready to begin. 
But there's Helen! Anyhow, we'll be back 
soon. A few months to see mother and get 
turned around — then back again! . . . 
Bills and office work after breakfast. Tired ! 

9. The Word Has Gone Forth 

To-night's meeting was wonderful. Ida 
read Acts second. I exhorted and the Lord 
came on me when I spoke of Yih Wuh 
Hai. I told them of Peter's sermon on 
the day of Pentecost and said the same 
Holy Spirit is with us to-day. I was im- 
pelled to move down into the audience 
and gripped several Mohammedans by the 
shoulder as I told them solemnly that God's 
Spirit was gripping them in their souls. 
Many of them bowed their heads. Some 
wept. The Word has gone forth. Follow 
it, Lord. 

Only a few at the midnight meeting. 
They are tired. Dear people, let them sleep 
to-night. I prayed with them and sent 
them home. 

It is just one o'clock. Ida has come 
down. She can't sleep for the burden that 



96 



TEN WEEKS 



is on her. We must get hold of things to- 
night. Nothing must be left to chance. 
God has done something in Cawnpore, 
more, I think, than we shall ever know. 
But the loose ends must be gathered up. • 

10. The Last Sabbath Day 

Sunday, May 30th. 

Well, it's over! — that is, it's just be- 
gun! The preachers and their families 
start back to-morrow. It will be one grand 
day of auditing bills and counting out 
rupees. All right! 

Service not held to-night. I think we 
really finished in the city on Thursday 
night. But the five o'clock praise service 
at Parade Church was divine ! The sing- 
ing was something wonderful, especially 
the boys' voices. Testimony filled every 
minute. 

Shah sent his gawahi 1 in writing and I 
read it. He asked for "Kamil Aram" 2 one 
verse, but we sang the entire hymn. Such 
joyful, glorious singing I never heard! 
The pastor-teachers drank it in like water. 

It's over. God keep this loving people. 
Gulzari has made marvelous strides and 
will become a strong leader for India. He 
tried to make me promise another revival 
for next year. Next year? . . . 



1 Testimony. 

*A metrical translation of the hymn, "Peace, Perfect 
Peace." 



(See next page) 



A Closing Word 



New York City, 

July 29, 1920. 
I have found among my Cawnpore notes 
Mr. A. M. Shah's "Gawahi," sent from his 
sick bed to our closing praise service, eleven 
years ago last May. My Hindustani is 
limping badly, but I think I can translate 
it. It holds the complete story of the Cawn- 
pore revival, and, as I dare still believe, 
the hope of India and the world. The 
translation follows: 

h. e. a 

" 'My Testimony' 

"The precious Blood of Jesus is giving 
"strength to me, so that in my spiritual 
"life I am able to abide. Though my body 
"is weak, yet my spirit is stronger than 
"a wrestler! 

"A. M. S." 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Sept. 2005 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-21H 



